To Blog or Not to Blog, That Is Costa’s Question

Broadcaster Bob Costas wonders if giving fans a forum to say
whatever they like on a blog or website is such a good idea. The
topic was addressed in a story by Barry Jackson of the Miami
Herald.
What do you think? Is it a high-tech way for idiots to voice their
opinions — often mean-spirited opinions — while maintaining
anonymity?

Here’s the Miami Herald story:

By Barry Jackson
Miami Herald
Years ago, the only way sports fans could have their voices heard
by the masses was calling a talk-radio show or writing a letter to
the editor.

But expanding technology has provided myriad forums to vent and
opine — whether it’s launching blogs or commenting on them,
weighing in at the bottom of articles on newspaper Web sites, or
participating in on-line polls.
Several thorny issues have arisen along the way, including how much
access should be granted to people who launch Internet sports blogs
or websites, but aren’t trained journalists published by a
newspaper or magazine. NBC/HBO’s Bob Costas wondered this week
about the wisdom of offering a wider forum to fans who can say
whatever they wish without being held accountable.
The access issue arose this week when Mavericks owner Mark Cuban
said the team no longer will grant locker-room access to people
whose primary purpose is to blog. (So far, only one person has been
affected — Dallas Morning News writer Tim McMahon, who was
sometimes critical of the team before Cuban’s edict.) But Cuban
insisted the policy had nothing to do with McMahon’s posts.
“Anyone can blog with no money down,” Cuban — who writes his own
blog — explained in an e-mail. “I didn’t want to have to make a
qualitative judgment on each one. And I didn’t want to let them all
in.”
Dolphins representative Harvey Greene said there are between 20 and
25 Dolphins fans websites, but the founders aren’t given
credentials because of space limitations inside the locker room and
press box. “We bring them in on a web weekend and work with them to
make sure they feel included,” he said.
Greene said the Dolphins give credentials “based on the
organization the individual represents, not how someone files their
reports.”
Miami gives access to one service that operates exclusively on
line, but said fans starting new Canes websites won’t receive
credentials.
There is a psychological dynamic to all of this, too.
Costas, speaking before he emceed (and donated $50,000) at
Tuesday’s Make-a-Wish sports auction at the Broward County
Convention Center, doesn’t understand what compels so many
nonjournalist sports fans to seek a forum for their opinions.
Before the Internet, most fans were content talking about sports
with their buddies. Now, in this interactive media age, many covet
a wider audience, while often maintaining anonymity.
“Today, I saw on ESPN a poll about which Western Conference teams
would not make the playoffs,” Costas said. “Well, 46 percent said
the Denver Nuggets, which has zero percent influence on anything.
No reasonable person who cares about the NBA should care about
that. Who has the time or the inclination to do this, even if
you’re sitting on your computer? Why would you weigh in on it?”
Many newspapers (including The Miami Herald) allow readers to post
comments, hoping to generate web hits and enlightened exchange of
ideas.
“I understand with newspapers struggling and hoping to hold on to,
or possibly expand their audiences, I understand why they do what
they do,” Costas said. “But it’s one thing if somebody just sets up
a blog from their mother’s basement in Albuquerque and they are who
they are, and they’re a pathetic get-a-life loser, but now that
pathetic get-a-life loser can piggyback onto someone who actually
has some level of professional accountability and they can be
comment No. 17 on Dan Le Batard’s column or Bernie Miklasz’ column
in St. Louis. That, in most cases, grants a forum to somebody who
has no particular insight or responsibility. Most of it is a
combination of ignorance or invective.”
What bothers Costas — and he’s not alone — is Internet and talk
radio commentary that “confuses simple mean-spiritedness and
stupidity with edginess. Just because I can call someone a name
doesn’t mean I’m insightful or tough and edgy. It means I’m an
idiot.
“It’s just a high-tech place for idiots to do what they used to do
on bar stools or in school yards, if they were school-yard bullies,
or on men’s-room walls in gas stations. That doesn’t mean that
anyone with half a brain should respect it.”

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2 thoughts on “To Blog or Not to Blog, That Is Costa’s Question”

Ooh, Mr. Costas, talk about being mean-spirited. Idiot, ignorant, loser in your Mom’s basement? Mr. Costas is a sports commentator, yet he doesn’t understand what compels so many nonjournalist sports fans to seek a forum to discuss what they love? That doesn’t really make sense.

I think this new form of interactive media will naturally evolve as it should. People who go on blogs to talk smack or argue tend to drop off the radar if they have no real interest or knowledge in the subject matter, can’t hold their own in a debate, or can’t get anyone to argue with them.

I think the content of the Kitsap Sun’s blog has improved a lot since they started tightening things up and exercising their blog ownership. I’ve learned a lot, there are a lot of bright, opinionated people in this community who are willing to share their perspective. I’ve seen Jim Avery, who the bloggers called inaccessible, sign on and explain policy. Bloggers thanked him. Monte Mahan, candidate for Kitsap County Commissioner commented today on the SKIA. The blogs can be useful, interesting, and they’re improving.

I don’t know how it works with sports, because of the time element. There’s always another game, another season, another sport. It moves too fast, you have to get over it because there’s another game tomorrow. I’ve always thought Bob Costas took himself a little too seriously. I like Chris Rose, Jim Rome. They have fun with it. Sports discussions should be fun and competitive and good-natured.

Mr. Costas says the mean bloggers are the schoolyard bullies. I think it’s the opposite, I think it’s the people that have been bullied and now they’ve found a way to get even. Or to stop the bullying. I can understand why it bothers professional journalists, sports or otherwise. They have college degrees, codes of conduct, professional ethics and journalistic integrity that they have to adhere to, bloggers don’t. That being said, bloggers can learn. The professional journalists can teach them.

I owe the Kitsap Sun sports staff an apology. And a couple other people. The anger and disappointment I took out on them was possibly justified, but terribly misdirected. I am sorry.

…”Is it a high-tech way for idiots to voice their opinions — often mean-spirited opinions — while maintaining anonymity?…”

I’ve learned more about my local area and the people in it during the past year of so of blogging here than I have in the past twenty years of reading newspapers, magazines and listening to local TV news.

The initial ugly comments and name calling posters disappeared bringing to light comments from our government officials and posters who clearly know what they are talking about. I’m grateful blogging gives them a voice and they use it. We deserve truth.